Are those the same test they use to see if the vaccines are working?
No, they are not. And the answer is actually pretty complicated, but I just went through an unsuccessful effort to get the right test from LabCorp (where I have standing orders to monitor one of my heart condition medications).
I am extremely reluctant to accept the mRNA vaccine, specifically because one of the reported adverse reactions are directly related to my "co-morbidity" condition.
What follows is copied from my detailed communication with LabCorp, explaining my problem. It was a lot of work, so I'll just copy it here.
The current fact is that in the past 15 months on 2 occasions I have experienced symptoms that MIGHT have been Covid-19, (but different and less serious than my previous bouts with the flu) and would really desire a reliable test to see if I have natural antibodies to Covid-19.
Open that link and
Go Through Labcorp.com to Request a Test
GET STARTED: Request through Labcorp.com
Learn About the Test
So I ordered it, and got a test
1: I understand from a Consumer Labs review that labcorp offers the Abbot SARS-CoV-2 IgG nucleocapsid 100% sensitive 99.6% specific or the Roche Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG nucleocapsid 100% sensitive 99.8% specific. I assume either one of these may be the labcorp SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies, Nucleocapsid 164068, which is really the test I expected to receive in accordance with the description shown above. Specifically, that “If you have been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19, your body typically produces antibodies as part of the immune response to the virus.”
2: It turns out that the test I got was labcorp test number 164090, which specifically tests for antibodies to the spike protein produced by the vaccine, which I do not have, as I have not been (nor plan to be) vaccinated. It also comes with a specific disclaimer, as follows:
“Values generated with this assay cannot be used to determine whether or not an individual has developed protective immunity against infection and cannot be directly compared to other assays until a universal standard is established for assay calibration.”
3: It is therefore clear that this test (164090) is not appropriate for the purposes stated above
The intended use of 164090 is: “Semi-quantitative detection of high affinity antibodies to the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2. Intended for use as an aid in identifying individuals with an adaptive immune response to SARS-CoV-2 indicating recent or prior infection. This assay also can be used to detect antibody responses induced by currently available SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.”
Additional limitations of 164090 is:
“Values generated with this assay cannot be used to determine whether or not an individual has developed protective immunity against infection and cannot be directly compared to other assays until a universal standard is established for assay calibration. Results from this test should not be used as the sole basis to diagnose or exclude active SARS-CoV-2 infection”
I actually need labcorp test 164068, which should properly answer the above stated purpose for getting this test.
The intended use of 164068 is:
“Qualitative detection of high affinity antibodies to the nucleocapsid (N) protein of SARS-CoV-2. Intended for use as an aid in identifying individuals with an adaptive immune response to SARS-CoV-2 indicating recent or prior infection. This assay can be used to differentiate between antibodies elicited due to natural infection versus vaccination.” Additional limitations of 164068 is:
“This assay will not detect antibodies elicited by currently available SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.”
I requested LabCorp provide this more appropriate test (164068) for my needs.
LabCorp responded that 164068 could only be ordered by doctors, and could not accept an order from individuals. The only Covid-19 test available for individuals to order was #164090 (Which is actually intended to measure the effectiveness of antibodies to the vaccine generated Spike(S) protein.
And never mind that 164090 actually does NOT provide testing for previous infection, as advertised.
What does Labcorp offer for COVID-19 antibody testing?
Labcorp offers testing for antibodies against either the spike (S) or nucleocapsid (N) proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
What is the difference in the spike and nucleocapsid proteins?
Antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 viral spike protein have been shown to have neutralizing effects.1-3 Current vaccines have been developed to elicit antibodies to the spike protein. Labcorp offers both semi-quantitative and qualitative options for testing for spike protein antibodies.
Use our test selection guide for physicians to understand which test to order for your patient.
Who can be tested?
Those who have previously been actively infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and do not currently have symptoms or have received a vaccine for COVID-19.
Labcorp Test Number
• Physicians can order SARS-CoV-2 Semi-Quantitative Total Antibody 164090
o Values generated with this assay cannot be used to determine whether or not an individual has developed protective immunity against infection and cannot be directly compared to other assays until a universal standard is established for assay calibration.
• Physicians can order SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies, Nucleocapsid 164068
o This assay will not detect antibodies elicited by currently available SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
• Physicians can order SARS-CoV-2 Antibody, IgG, Spike 164055
• Physicians can order SARS-CoV-2 Antibody, IgM, Spike 164034
describes 4 different Labcorp tests
SARS-CoV-2 Semi-Quantitative Total Antibody 164090
SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies, Nucleocapsid* 164068
SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies, IgG, Spike* 164055
SARS-CoV-2 Antibody, IgM, Spike 164034
Three of these tests focus on antibodies to the spike protein. (164090, 164055, and 164034)
Only one focuses on the nucleocapsid protein of the actual Covid-19 virus vs those generated by the vaccine. It is also the most accurate and reliable of all the tests. (164068) It’s also the only test (of the 4) designed to detect to the antibodies produced in response to an actual covid-19 infection.
Also, since I do NOT expect to ever get the presently available vaccines (I really don’t trust them) I prefer the most reliable test that will not be colored with results expected from the current vaccines.
Finally, note in that video that the focus is ONLY on the 164090 Spike protein test (vaccine generated) and glosses over and ignores 164068, the ONLY test for infection generated antibodies.
It is becoming painfully clear the entire pharmaceutical industry is cooperating to maintain this pandemic. I think that (appears to be) criminal.
How can we correct that problem? I'm usually very calm, but I worry a lot about this.